Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has offered a candid retrospective on Cristiano Ronaldo’s second spell at Old Trafford, attributing the club’s struggles during that period significantly to the Portuguese superstar’s physical condition and lack of preparation. Ten Hag’s assessment suggests that Ronaldo’s insufficient readiness detrimentally affected the team’s attacking structure and overall performance, ultimately leading to widespread disappointment within the squad and among the coaching staff.
Ronaldo’s history with Manchester United spans two distinct periods. His initial tenure from 2003 to 2009, under the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson, was highly successful, culminating in three Premier League titles. However, his much-anticipated return to Old Trafford in 2021 marked a stark contrast. He departed in 2022 after making just 40 appearances across all competitions. During the 2022-23 season, under Ten Hag’s management, Ronaldo managed a mere single goal in ten appearances before his contract was terminated prematurely.
In an interview with The Athletic, the 56-year-old Dutch tactician revealed the extent of his disappointment. “He disappointed the whole team, and he disappointed me too, because we had a very clear plan with him,” Ten Hag stated. He further explained that there had been one-on-one discussions with Ronaldo regarding his form and commitment. According to Ten Hag, despite the collective efforts of the team to support Ronaldo in becoming a top-tier striker once more, the player reportedly did not exert the necessary effort to rediscover his peak physical and goal-scoring abilities.
Ten Hag elaborated on specific issues, noting that Ronaldo often tired quickly when the team needed him to press and recover possession. Furthermore, his positioning sometimes deviated from the team’s tactical plans, circumstances Ten Hag attributed directly to Ronaldo’s inconsistent preparation for matches. These factors, in Ten Hag’s view, significantly hampered Manchester United’s ability to compete at the desired level during that crucial period. Ten Hag, who led Manchester United to a third-place finish in the 2022-23 season and won the FA Cup, provided this detailed reflection on his challenging experience managing the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Following his departure from Manchester United, Ronaldo joined Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr in 2023, where he continues his illustrious career. Recently, the 41-year-old forward faced disciplinary action from the Portuguese Football Federation, receiving a 30-day suspension and a $285 fine for an unauthorized departure from a training camp. This incident reportedly stemmed from a disagreement with coach Jorge Jesus over his non-selection for a UEFA Nations League match. Despite these recent challenges, Ronaldo remains focused on a significant personal milestone: achieving 1,000 career goals while playing for Al Nassr.
